Research
Vitamin D: Harvesting the Diversification Premium Through Prudent Leverage
We begin our discussion with a story to help us think about risk and bet sizing. Our protagonist, poker aficionado Annie, enters a casino prepared for a night of risk and reward. As a competent player, she finds she walks away with a few extra dollars in her wallet at the end of the night […]
Research
Going the Distance: How to Conquer the Challenges Imposed by Liquidity Requirements
In Part 1 of our blog series, Understanding Risk, I introduced readers to the concept of volatility as a measure of risk and uncertainty, in addition to discussing the potential impact that volatility could have on wealth and that wealth is dependent on the path that returns take. In Part 2, I further illustrated this concept by running scenario […]
Research
Volatility, A Skewed Reality
In the previous installment of our volatility series, I explained what volatility is and how it relates to investing. I also introduced the concept of the divergence between arithmetic returns and geometric returns, and how volatility exacerbates this phenomenon, which is often referred to as volatility drag. Volatility drag is something that is often debated by investment […]
Research
Volatility, What a Drag
Over the past couple of months, investors of all types have likely been caught off guard by global events that caused massive swings in the market value of their portfolio holdings. Unfortunately, some have realized that their investments are far too risky and have lost more than they could tolerate. The old gambler’s adage of […]
Research
O Canada! Why We Diversify
The COVID-19 pandemic is a historic event that has galvanized inter-generational cohorts in the fight against a common enemy. I will not attempt to wax-poetic about the implications this will have on our way of life for when we inevitability get through to the other side of this pandemic, as there are much more qualified […]
Research
ETFs Tested: COVID Free!
There has been a lot of talk over the past few years about how passive investing and the rise of exchange traded funds (ETFs) would be the next financial market bubble that would wreak havoc for investors. Since the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 and the ensuing period where index investing started to gain in popularity, […]
Research
Even Warren Buffett Can’t Call the Bottom
Markets bounced back sharply last week, providing a much needed respite for equity investors. But, before we get too excited, we need to keep in mind that +20% rallies during bear markets are very common. In fact, the biggest up days in stock markets have historically occurred during major bear markets. The Tech Bubble had three distinct rallies […]
Research
These Stupid Things Called Brains
I recently attended the Calgary CFA Society’s Annual Forecast Dinner. It’s probably the only event of the year where the entirety of the city’s investment and finance professionals come out of their dens for some awkward hobnobbing. The event, of course, is centered around forecasting. It’s a magical place where John Smith, CFA shuffles reluctantly […]